NO314027B1 - Tugle-visible form for carrying information securely - Google Patents

Abstract

Variable confidential information (12) is printed over scrambling pattern (14) which is formed of thermochromatic ink. Information (12) cannot be read due to the presence of the underlying scrambling pattern. The information becomes readable when heat is applied to the thermochromatic ink and the optical properties of the thermochromatic ink are altered. Preferably, the alteration of the optical properties of the thermochromatic ink is irreversible. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a tamper-proof form for carrying information.

It is often necessary to transmit confidential information by post

or other channels, such as courier, document exchange, personal delivery, etc. For example, banks and other financial institutions often issue personal identification numbers (PIN codes) in connection with the customer's credit or debit card.

There are known forms that carry such information securely, i.e. that

the information cannot be viewed without first breaking a security measure in connection with the form. An example of such a form is lottery tickets known as "scratch lottery tickets" where a coating must be scratched away to reveal the underlying information.

These forms for the secure carrying of information are necessarily tamper-proof, i.e. the act of breaking the security of the information causes an irreversible indication that a security breach has occurred.

Most tamper-proof forms are designed so that further processing of the form (such as scratch cards), or folding and sealing is necessary to secure information after the information has been printed on the form. This is a significant disadvantage and often requires special equipment, which is an obstacle for many users.

A known tamper-proof form that requires no further processing after the confidential information has been received involves a two-layer arrangement that is sealed together around the perimeter. With this form, an impact printer strikes the upper surface of the upper layer, thereby leaving a "blueprint" print on the upper surface of the lower layer. To access the information on the lower layer, the two layers must be picked or torn apart.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a tamper-proof form for the safe carrying of information, where the information can be printed on the form by passing the form through a conventional printer, and where the printed form does not require further processing to hand over the information in a secure manner.

The present invention generally relates to the selective use of obscuring devices ("scrambling means") to make printed information unreadable. Destruction or removal of the obfuscation device renders the printed information readable, however, the removal or destruction of the obfuscation device is such that it appears to have been tampered with thereby indicating that the security of the information has been breached.

The invention relates to a tamper-proof form for the secure transmission of information, where the form comprises a concealment device designed to have the information superimposed over or on it so that the overlying information cannot be determined until the overlying information and the underlying concealment device are separated from each other, or before the underlying cloaking device is otherwise disabled or destroyed. In one aspect, the invention relates to a tamper-proof form according to the appended independent claim 1.

According to one embodiment, a transparent or translucent release layer is superimposed on the obscuring device, and the information is printed directly on the release layer. The information can then be removed from the release layer by, for example, placing an adhesive tape over the pressure on the release layer and then removing the printed information from the release layer with the adhesive tape.

In another and more preferred embodiment, the information is printed on a transparent or translucent sheet that lies above the obscuring device.

The obscuring device can be printed on a substrate or the obscuring device can be a coating or a masking that can be scraped or picked away from the underside of the sheet.

A possible separation of the printed sheet and the underlying obfuscation device preferably causes an irreversible indication that the security of the information on the sheet has been breached.

The printed sheet may be removed from the underlying obscuring device, or alternatively, the underlying obscuring device may be removed from the printed sheet.

In one embodiment, part of the sheet is punched out from the rest of the sheet. The punching may be incomplete and this portion of the sheet may remain attached to the rest of the sheet by connections that must be broken to remove this portion of the sheet. In this case, the broken connections give an indication that the security of the information has been breached. The cutout may also have a sawtooth shape or other profile to prevent accidental reinsertion of this part of the sheet and to provide a further visual indication that the security of the information has been breached. Any known tamper indication can be used.

According to another embodiment, the substrate is punched out, and the part of the substrate that lies below the information can be removed. Again, removal of this portion of the substrate will be visible due to broken connections or other known tamper-indicating means.

In other embodiments, the underlying cloaking device can be disabled or destroyed by, for example, application, heat, pressure or light. For

for example, the obscuring device can be made up of a printing color that irreversibly becomes visible at, for example, 75°C. With such an arrangement, the end user can use a hot iron to destroy the obfuscation device thereby revealing the printed information.

A tamper-proof form for secure transmission of information is also described, where the form includes a transparent or translucent sheet which

lies above an obscuring device so that the information printed on the transparent or translucent sheet cannot be ascertained until the printed sheet and the underlying obscuring device are separated from each other, or until the underlying obscuring device is otherwise disabled or destroyed.

Furthermore, a method for making printed information secure is described, where the method includes: printing the information over an obfuscation device so that the printed information cannot be determined until the information and the underlying obfuscation device are separated from each other, or before the underlying obfuscation device is deployed by force or damaged in any other way.

in preferred embodiments, the information is printed on a transparent or translucent sheet.

It further describes a method for producing a tamper-proof form for secure transmission of information, where the method comprises: providing a concealment device designed to have the information superimposed over or on it so that the overlying information cannot be determined before the overlying information and the underlying the obfuscation device is separated, or before the underlying obfuscation device is otherwise disabled or destroyed.

In order for the invention to be easier to understand and to be able to be put into practice, reference will now be made to the attached drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, where: Figure 1 is a ground plan of a substrate with an imprinted obscuring device; Figure 2 is a plan view of the transparent or translucent punched sheet; Figure 3 is a plan view of the punched sheet of Figure 2 glued to the substrate of Figure 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figures 4 and 5 are successive cross-sections along the line 4 - 4 in figure 3; Figures 6 and 7 are continuous cross-sections through another embodiment; Figure 6A is a plan view of the transparent or translucent tiled sheet according to the second embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7; Figures 8 and 9 are continuous cross-sections through a third embodiment; Figures 10 and 11 are sequential cross-sections of a fourth embodiment; Figures 12 and 13 are consecutive cross-sections through a fifth embodiment; Figures 14 and 15 are continuous cross-sections through a sixth embodiment; and Figures 16 and 17 are continuous cross-sections through a seventh embodiment.

Reference is first made to Figures 3 to 5 where a first embodiment of a tamper-proof form according to the invention is illustrated.

The tamper-proof form is composed of two main components, which are a substrate 2A (shown alone in Figure 1) and a die-cut sheet 6A (shown alone in Figure 2). Reference is made to figure 1 where the substrate 2A is a sheet of paper or the like with a printed covering device 4A which in this case has a rectangular shape.

The obscuring device 4A can be of any type, but it is preferred that the obscuring device is made of a non-saturated mass with thickened alphanumeric characters in a known manner. It will be understood that the shaded area 4A is representative of the obscuring device. In other embodiments, the obscuring device may include other types of characters, random markings or simply a dark, shaded area.

Reference is made to figure 2, where the sheet 6A is transparent or translucent and comprises an incomplete or perforated cutout 12A which within the cutout defines a removable part of the sheet. The incomplete punch-out 12A leaves connections 9A where the removable portion of the sheet (in this case with the confidential information "ABCD" printed on it) remains connected to the rest of the sheet. The connections 9A are fragile so that the part of the sheet having the information of "ABCD" can be removed from the rest of the sheet, and such removal is visible because of the broken connections. Removal of that part of the sheet is made easiest by the provision of tabs 8A which can be manually lifted and gripped.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 where a first embodiment of the invention is shown where the sheet 6A in Figure 2 has been glued around its circumference to the substrate 2A in Figure 1. It will be understood that any information printed on the transparent or translucent sheet 6A cannot is determined due to the fact that the information is superimposed on the obfuscation device 4A.

Typically, the confidential information printed on the sheet 6A will be alphanumeric characters and thus these alphanumeric characters will disappear against the obfuscation device which is a mass of overprinted alphanumeric characters. The confidential information can only be "found" when that part of the sheet is separated from the substrate. To help "lose" the confidential information, the confidential information is relatively faintly printed on the sheet.

Reference is then made to Figures 4 and 5, where successive cross-sections are shown through the first embodiment of the invention. One will understand that the thickness of the formula is greatly exaggerated. The form is actually thin enough to pass through a standard laser printer.

As shown, the transparent or translucent sheet 6A is adhered to the substrate 2A by means of an adhesive layer 10A.

A release layer 16A (for example silicone) is placed between the adhesive layer 10A and the substrate 2A so that the removable part of the sheet 6A can be easily removed as shown in figure 5, taking with it a part of the adhesive layer 10A. The removed part of the sheet 6A can then be re-adhered by means of the removed part of the adhesive layer 10A to any surface, including the substrate 2A.

It will be remembered that the removal of the removable part of the sheet 6A as shown in Figure 5 entails breaking the fragile connections 9A. Removal of this part of sheet 6A will therefore be visible afterwards.

In use, the invention is delivered to the user (such as a bank or other financial institution) in the format shown in figure 4.

The bank can then run the entire form consisting of the combined substrate 2A and the sheet 6A, through a laser printer that prints the confidential information (for example, a PIN code, or in this case "ABCD") on the upper surface of the transparent or translucent sheet 6A. It will be understood that although the confidential information "ABCD" has been printed on the upper surface of the sheet 6A, it cannot be determined because of the underlying obfuscation scheme 4A.

The bank customer's address details can also be simultaneously written on the substrate 2A in the usual way, and the form can be placed in a window envelope for immediate delivery to the customer.

Of course, the form will also include instructions to the bank customer explaining how the confidential information "ABCD" can be "found" by removing part of sheet 6A.

It will be appreciated that the confidential information is "found" by tearing off the removable portion of the sheet 6A from the substrate 2A as shown in Figure 5. Once the removable portion of the sheet 6A has been removed, the confidential information is readily visible, especially if the removed part is pasted on a light background, for example the form.

In the event that the fragile connections 9A have already been broken when the form is received, the customer will immediately know that the security of the confidential information "ABCD" has been breached and will ask the bank to issue a new PIN code.

Reference is now made to Figures 6 and 7 where another embodiment of the invention is shown where the same reference numbers have been used to designate the same parts.

Again, the form comprises a substrate 2B and a transparent or translucent sheet 6B which is glued together by means of an adhesive layer 10B. In this case, however, the cutout 12B is arranged in the substrate 2B instead of the sheet 6B, and the cutout extends through the release layer 16B. Accordingly, part of the substrate 2B can be removed from the form as shown in Figure 7, instead of the sheet being removed from the form as was the case in the first embodiment.

It may be noted that an adhesive layer 10B is provided to join the sheet 6B to the substrate 2B. A release layer 16B is also provided to enable the removable portion of the substrate to be removed, as shown in Figure 7. The cutout 12B extends through the release layer 16B, and therefore the release layer is removed together with the removable portion of the substrate, as shown in Figure 7.

As before, the punch 12B is incomplete or perforated so that removal of the removable portion of the substrate is tamper proof, i.e. it can be seen to have been tampered with.

If desired, the removed part of the substrate 2B can be rotated 180° so that the substrate 2B is above the release layer 16B. The removed part of the substrate 2B can then be put back into the cavity that appeared when it was removed. It will be understood that the removed part 2B easily adheres to the adhesive layer 10B.

When used, the form is delivered to the bank as shown in figure 6. The bank can run the form through a laser printer which writes address details on the substrate 2B in the usual way, and prints confidential information on the upper surface of the sheet 6B. Again, it will be understood that the confidential information cannot be determined at this point due to the underlying obfuscation device printed on the substrate.

When the bank customer receives the form through the post or other channels, he or she can easily determine whether the security of the information has been breached, and can easily obtain the information by tearing away the removable part of the substrate 2B that lies below the confidential information, as shown in Figure 7. When the removable portion of the substrate 2B has been removed, the confidential information is visible after the underlying obfuscation device has been removed. Visibility is improved if the removed part of the substrate is turned around and returned to the cavity from which it came.

Reference is made to figure 6A, where the sheet 6B, according to the second embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7, comprises a further security/tamper indicating feature.

It has been found that it is sometimes possible to remove the confidential information (ie the laser toner) from the sheet using an adhesive strip. The adhesive strip can be applied to the upper surface of the sheet 6B, and when the adhesive strip is removed, the laser toner is separated from the sheet and transferred (of course with mirror writing) to the underside of the adhesive strip.

As shown in Figure 6A, the sheet may be sketched (for example, in a cross-hatch pattern so as to form diamonds or diamonds) such that the structural integrity of the sheet is reduced to a level where the sheet will tear if an attempt is made to remove the toner with an adhesive strip as described above. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6A, one or more of the panes are therefore torn away together with the adhesive strip in order to thereby achieve a tamper-proof function.

Surprisingly, it has also been found that if the sheet is not torn as desired, the toner has a greatly reduced tendency to be removed by the adhesive strip. It is believed that this is due to the breaking up of the surface of the sheet due to the slitting or cutting.

Reference is now made to figures 8 and 9, where successive cross-sections are shown through a third embodiment of the invention, where the same reference numerals have been used to designate the same parts.

Again, there is a substrate 2C and a transparent or translucent sheet 6C. In this case, the substrate 2C has an opening or a hole arranged under the sheet 6C.

The sheet is glued to the substrate by means of adhesive 10C, which in this case is placed around the circumference of the underside of the sheet 6C. Within the "ring" of adhesive 10C, a removable coating or masking 14C is arranged. In another embodiment, the adhesive layer 10C is continuous, and the coating or masking is applied to the underside of the continuous adhesive layer.

The masking 14C may consist of one or more layers and carries the masking device so that information printed on the upper surface of the sheet 6C cannot be determined. However, the masking ring 14C can be scratched or picked away to make the information visible. The masking ring 14C is shown plucked away in figure 9.

In use, this embodiment is delivered as shown in Figure 8. The bank runs the form through a laser printer to thereby print confidential information on the sheet 6C and print address details and the like on the substrate 2C.

When the form is received by the bank customer, the masking or coating 14C is scraped or picked away to make the confidential information visible. Again, this is a tamper proof or tamper indicating process.

Reference is now made to figures 10 and 11, where successive cross-sections are shown through a fourth embodiment of the invention which is a mixture between the second and third embodiments.

The formulation comprises a substrate 2B, an adhesive layer 10D, a masking or coating 14D and a sheet 6D. In this case, the punch 12D extends through the substrate, the adhesive and the coating, although this embodiment could have been punched from the upper side with the punch through the sheet 6D, so that the sheet is removable.

In this embodiment, a coating 14D (which again may be one or more layers) is used, which is a coating that is pulled away from the sheet 6D due to its greater affinity to the adhesive layer 10D. The obscuring device may be applied either to the substrate (in which case the coating 14D would have to be transparent) or directly to the removable coating. The obscuring device may also be printed on the substrate side of the adhesive if the coating 14D is transparent.

Reference is now made to figures 12 and 13 where continuous cross-sections are shown through a fifth embodiment, which is the same as the second embodiment except that the adhesive layer 10E and the release layer 16E have been reversed.

This embodiment consists of a substrate 2E, an adhesive layer 10E, a release layer 16E and a sheet 6E. As shown, the punching extends from the underside through the substrate and the adhesive layer, although the punching could extend from the top through the sheet and the release layer.

This embodiment may use a double-sided intermediate transfer tape and may have the masking device either printed on the substrate or on the underside of the release layer so that the print can be removed from the release layer by means of the adhesive.

Reference is now made to Figures 14 and 15, where successive cross-sections through a sixth embodiment are shown. This embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment, however, it additionally includes a "frame" 18F which is glued to the perimeter of the sheet 6F and to the substrate 2F by means of adhesive 20F. This "frame" ensures that the edge of the sheet 6F cannot be lifted, thereby ensuring that the sheet 6F cannot be removed, read and then put back.

Reference is now made to figures 116 and 17 where successive cross-sections through a seventh embodiment are shown. This embodiment is similar to the third embodiment except that the sheet 6G and the masking and coating 14G are glued under the substrate 2G. The masking or coating 14G can be scraped away or picked away as shown in figure 17.

Although several embodiments have been illustrated, it will be understood that many other embodiments, including hybrids of the illustrated embodiments, fall within the scope of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the underlying obfuscation device or pattern may be disabled or destroyed to reveal the underlying information. This can be achieved, for example, by using a security printing ink that can be made visible by applying heat, light or pressure. In one embodiment, the security pattern can be made up of a printing color that becomes visible at around 75°C. In this embodiment, the end user can use a hot iron to destroy the security pattern and reveal the information.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a tamper-proof form that does not require post-processing after the confidential information has been printed on the form to make the information secure. Furthermore, the confidential information can be printed using ordinary printers, such as laser printers. The invention consequently provides a tamper-proof form which is compatible with ordinary writing or printing technology and which does not require finishing after printing.

It will of course be realized that although the above is presented as an illustrative example of the invention, all such and other modifications and variants which will be obvious to professionals in the field are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as it is stated here.

Claims (7)

1. Tamper-proof form, characterized by : an upper transparent thin layer (6A, 6B, 6C, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G), wherein the upper surface of the upper transparent thin layer is adapted to receive printed information from a printer, and a lower non-transparent thin layer (2A, 2B, 14C, 14D, 2E, 14F, 14G), carries a masking device (4A) visible through the upper transparent thin layer, the masking device being selected so that information printed on the upper surface of the upper transparent thin layers cannot be read when the lower non-transparent thin layer carrying the obfuscation device is below the printed information on the upper surface of the upper transparent thin layer, where the upper transparent thin layer and the lower non-transparent thin layer are bonded together, and wherein the information printed on the upper surface of the upper transparent thin layer becomes readable when the bond between the upper transparent and lower non-transparent thin layers is broken and the upper transparent thin layer o g lower non-transparent thin layers are physically separated, the physical separation causing an indication that the security of the information printed on the upper surface of the upper transparent thin layer has been breached. 2. Tamper-proof form according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower non-transparent thin layer is a substrate (2A, 2B, 2E). 3. Tamper-proof form according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower non-transparent thin layer is a coating or masking (14C, 14D, 14F, 14G) which can be scraped or picked away from the underside of the upper transparent thin layer. 4. Tamper-proof form according to claim 2, characterized in that a part of the upper transparent thin layer (6A) which carries the printed information is removable, the removal causing said irreversible indication. 5. Tamper-proof form according to claim 2, characterized in that a part of the substrate (2A, 2B, 2E) under the printed information is (ironable, the removal causing said irreversible indication. 6. Tamper-proof form according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by a release layer (16A, 16B, 16E) disposed between the upper transparent thin layer and the substrate to facilitate the physical separation of the upper transparent thin layer and the substrate. 7. Tamper-proof form according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper transparent thin layer (6B) is cut or slit so that an attempt to remove the printed information from the upper surface of the upper transparent thin layer causes the upper transparent thin layer to crack or break.